The Boy's King Arthur: Sir Thomas Malory's History of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round TableMalory, Thomas, Sir
General
The Boy's King Arthur: Sir Thomas Malory's History of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table
Malory, Thomas, Sir
Arthur, King -- Legends; Arthurian romances -- Adaptations; Folklore -- England; Knights and knighthood -- Folklore
So as the fair maid Elaine came to Winchester, she sought there all
about, and by fortune Sir Lavaine was ridden to play him and to enchafe
his horse. And anon, as fair Elaine saw him, she knew him, and then she
cried aloud unto him; and when he heard her, anon he came unto her. And
then she asked her brother, "How fareth my lord Sir Launcelot?"
"Who told you, sister, that my lord's name was Sir Launcelot?"
Then she told him how Sir Gawaine by his shield knew him. So they rode
together till they came unto the hermitage, and anon she alighted; so
Sir Lavaine brought her unto Sir Launcelot. And when she saw him lie so
sick and pale in his bed, she might not speak, but suddenly she fell
unto the ground in a swoon, and there she lay a great while. And when
she was relieved, she sighed and said, "My lord Sir Launcelot, alas!
why go ye in this plight?" and then she swooned again. And then Sir
Launcelot prayed Sir Lavaine to take her up and to bring her to him.
And when she came to herself, Sir Launcelot kissed her, and said, "Fair
maiden, why fare ye thus? Ye put me to pain; wherefore make ye no more
such cheer for, and ye be come to comfort me, ye be right welcome, and
of this little hurt that I have, I shall be right hastily whole, by the
grace of God. But I marvel," said Sir Launcelot, "who told you my name."
Then the fair maiden told him all how Sir Gawaine was lodged with her
father. "And there by your shield he discovered your name."
"Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "that me repenteth, that my name is known,
for I am sure it will turn unto anger."
So this maiden, Elaine, never went from Sir Launcelot, but watched him
day and night and did such attendance to him that there was never woman
did more kindlier for man than she did. Then Sir Launcelot prayed Sir
Lavaine to make espies in Winchester for Sir Bors if he came there, and
told him by what token he should know him by a wound in his forehead.
"For well I am sure," said Sir Launcelot, "that Sir Bors will seek me,
for he is the good knight that hurt me."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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